Costing Factors in DNA Paternity Tests

1.  The Quality of Test Required

It is normal nowadays for a DNA test to involve a minimum of 16 genetic loci, although fewer can be used to reduce cost. Another cost factor is the quality of the testing materials, and consumables produced by the laboratory itself will be less expensive than a validated standard kit such as a Promega, but again at the expense of quality and accuracy of the test.

2.  The Number of Person Being Tested

It is generally to be expected that the cost of a DNA Test will increase in line with the number of people who have to be tested.  There will be occasional cases where no charge will be made for the mother's test, if this is to be done, but it can normally be assumed that the higher the number of tests, then the greater the cost.

3.  How Quickly the Results are Required

There may be instances where the test results are required urgently and have to be expedited.  This can be fairly costly, and basically, the quicker you need the results the more it could cost. Getting the results with one or two days, for example, could cost as much as the DNA Testing itself.

4.  The Country Involved in the Testing

Some countries have a higher market for DNA Testing than others, and that market will dictate the cost of the tests. Not only that, but where there is a higher market there is also competition, and that tends to drive costs down.  You will therefore find DNA testing to cost less in those countries such as the USA where the market and the competition are both high.

5.  The Purpose of the Test and the Sample Provided

The cost of a DNA test depends largely upon the type of test being carried out, and also on the type of sample provided for analysis. Not all DNA Testing is carried in the same way, some being more complex than others are.  Carrying out a sibling test, for instance, is more involved that a DNA Paternity Test, and consequently costs more. This applies to the various types of relationship testing, so you can't apply the price of none type of test to another type. Another variable is the form that the sample takes.  A hair, for example, takes longer to analyze than a cheek swab, and will therefore cost more.

6.  Regular or Legal DNA Paternity Testing

There is a difference in cost between a normal DNA Test and a legal test, not because of any difference in accuracy, because they are basically the same, but because of the difference in procedures between the two.  The legal test will normally need a more comprehensive sampling kit than a regular test does, and this is more expensive.  The legal test also requires an external third-party to notarize the sampling and ensure that the test subject has been correctly identified.  The sample kit then has to be transported by secure courier to the laboratory for testing. All of this costs money.

Because of the multitude of factors involved in the pricing of DNA Testing, it is normally good advice to get a price agreed for the test prior to ordering it. Those above are the major aspects taking into account when pricing such a test, although there may be others in individual cases.

easyDNA specialize in the provision of reliable, accurate and confidential DNA Paternity Testing, DNA Relationship Testing and DNA Forensic Testing to both the private and public sector. We operate through a network of offices covering a wide geographic area. We currently operate 12 offices around the world including Canada, U.S.A, and Australia. To contact us with further questions please email info@easydna.net.